We the undersigned father and mother or guardian(s) of:

A minor, do hereby consent to his/her participation in voluntary athletic programs and do forever RELEASE, acquit discharge and covenant to hold harmless the Town of Maynard, a municipal corporation of the State of Massachusetts, and its successors, departments, officers, employers, servants and agents of and from any and all actions, causes of actions, claims, demands, damages, costs, loss of services, expenses and compensation on account of, or in any way growing out of, directly or indirectly, all known and unknown personal injuries and property damages which we/ I may now or hereafter have as parent(s) or guardian(s) of said minor, and also all claims or right of action from damages which said minor has or hereafter ay acquire, either before or after he/she has reached his/her majority resulting or to result from his/her participation in the Maynard Public Schools Physical Education Department’s athletic programs: FURTHERMORE, we/I hereby agree to protect the Town of Maynard and its successors, departments, officers, employees, servants and agents, against any claims for damages, compensation or otherwise on the part of the said minor growing out of or resulting from injury to said minor in connection with his/her participation in the Maynard Public Schools Physical Education Department’s voluntary athletic programs, and to IDEMNIFY, reimburse or make good to the Town of Maynard and its successors, departments, officers, employees, servants and agents any loss or damages or costs, including attorney’s fees, the Town or its representatives may have to pay if any litigation arises from said minor’s intentional, grossly negligent, or reckless acts or omissions while participating in said sports programs.

This agreement between students, their parents or guardians, and Maynard Public Schools is designed to serve several purposes. It is intended to influence students to make wise and legally sound decisions. It is also designed:

• To help ensure the physical and mental health of students;

• To enable student athletes and leaders to set an example of responsible behavior;

• To promote zero-tolerance of under age (21 years) drinking as defined by federal and state laws, as well as of the use of illegal and harmful chemical substances among our youth;

• To bind the community together in support of its students;

This agreement was first developed by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA), and was created in pursuant to the rules of the MIAA. Our high school membership in this association allows our athletic teams to compete in the Mid-Wach League. To maintain membership, we must adhere to and enforce the MIAA policy.

RULE

During the season of practice or play, a student shall not, regardless of the quantity, use, consume, possess, buy/sell, or give away any beverage containing alcohol; any tobacco product; marijuana; steroids; or any controlled substance. As defined under, Mass General Laws, Ch 90D. This policy includes products such as “NA or near beer”. Or intake the vapors of any intoxicating substance,

such as glue, nitrous oxide and the like, sometimes referred to as “huffing”.

It should be noted that: If a student in violation of this rule is unable to participate in interscholastic sports due to injury or academics, the penalty will not take effect until that student is able to participate again.

Students found in the presence of any beverage containing alcohol, any tobacco product, marijuana, steroids or any controlled substance shall likewise be deemed in violation of the chemical health policy.  This includes products such as “NA or near beer.”

Exceptions to the policy of being “in the presence” shall be made in the cases of restaurants, venues and family events where adults of lawful age are consuming alcoholic beverage or adults of lawful age are using tobacco products and Maynard High School students are present but not using such products.

The rule is in effect from the earliest fall practice date to the conclusion of the academic year or final athletic event (whichever is latest).

• 1st Offense: When the Principal confirms, following an opportunity for the student to be heard, that a violation occurred, the student shall lose eligibility for a minimum of 25% of the season or next season of participation. Penalties carry to the following season. If the student is unable to participate due to injury, academics or otherwise, the penalty will not take effect until that student is able to participate again.

• 2nd offense and subsequent offense: The student will lose eligibility for a minimum of  60% of the season or next season of participation. The student must also attend at least three approved substance abuse sessions. 

• In either instance, further disciplinary action may be taken by the school, including informing legal authorities or mandating drug and alcohol counseling. 

• Also be reminded of the Principal’s Authority to Suspend and/or Expel Under the terms of the Education Reform Act and MGL, Section 37 H, the principal of a school containing grades nine through twelve has the authority to immediately suspend and/or expel a student under the following conditions: found on school premises or at school sponsored or school related events, including athletic games, in possession of a dangerous weapon, including but not limited to a gun or a knife; or possession of a controlled substance as defined in MGL 94 C

CONCUSSION INFORMATION: 

STATE LAW REGARDING SPORTSRELATED HEAD INJURY & CONCUSSIONS

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services now

requires that all schools subject to the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) rules adhere to the following law. Student-athletes and their parents, coaches, athletic directors, school nurses and physicians must learn about the consequences of head injuries and concussions through training programs and written materials. The law requires that athletes and their parents inform their coaches about prior head injuries at the beginning of the season. If a student-athlete becomes unconscious during a game or practice, the law now mandates taking the student out of play or practice, and requires written certification from a licensed medical professional for “return to play.” Parents and students who plan to participate in any athletic program offered by the Maynard Public Schools must also take a free on-line course. Two free on-line courses are available and contain all the information required by law. The first is available through the National Federation of High Schools. 

The entire course takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.

http://www.nfhslearn.com/electiveDetail.aspx?courseID=15000

The second on-line course is available through the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention at:

www.cdc.gov/Concussion

HAZING INFORMATION:

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court

assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows: 

Chapter 269 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following three sections:

Section 17: Whoever is a principle organizer or participant in the crime of hazing as

defined herein shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by

imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than one hundred days, or by both 

such fine and imprisonment. The term "hazing" as used in this section and in sections

eighteen and nineteen, shall mean any conduct or method of initiation into any student

organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly

endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. Such conduct

shall include whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the weather,

forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance, or any other

brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical

health or safety of any such student or other person, or which subjects such student or

other person to extreme mental stress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest or

extended isolation.

Section 18: Whoever knows that another person is the victim of hazing as defined in

section seventeen and is at the scene of such crime shall, to the extent that such

person can do so without danger or peril to himself or others, report such crime to an

appropriate law enforcement official as soon as reasonably practicable. Whoever fails to

report such crime shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars.

Section 19: Each secondary school and each public and private school or college shall

issue to every group or organization under its authority or operating on or in conjunction

with its campus or school, and to every member, or applicant for

membership in such group organization, a copy of this section and sections seventeen

and eighteen. An officer of each such group or organization, and each individual

receiving a copy of said sections seventeen and eighteen shall sign an acknowledgment

stating that such group, organization or individual has received a copy of said sections

seventeen and eighteen. Each secondary school and each public or private school or college shall file, at least

annually, a report with the regents of higher education and in the case of secondary schools, the board of

education, certifying that such institution has complied with the provisions of this section and also certifying

that said school has adopted a disciplinary policy with regards to the organizers and participants of hazing.

The board of regents and in the case of secondary schools, the board of education shall promulgate

regulations governing the content and frequency of such reports, and shall forthwith report to the attorney

general any such institution, which fails to make such report. Passed to be enacted by the House of

Representatives November 13, 1985. Passed to be enacted by the Senate November 14, 1985. Approved

November 26, 1985 by Governor Michael J. Dukakis.